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May-Jun 2001 Newsletter

From the Chairman's Desk

      On the eve of Labour/May Day I am reminded that it is a day to commemorate the role of labour in nation building. Over the past few years our labour of love with the branch has indeed brought about a new spirit and reckoning. It is this “quality“ I was referring to when I embark on a personal mission to see to it that our branch achieve a certain level of recognition not only among the members but among other branches and NGOs as well. The letters of invitation to speak to certain groups and NGOs and to attend workshops, seminars and stake-holders discussion groups speak volumes on our increasing role and involvement in society. This certainly augurs well for the future and our fast dwindling natural resources, namely our forests which are constantly facing the onslaught of development and get-rich-quick logging schemes.
      With this mind I wrote to our ED to put in the agenda for our last meeting a discussion on the role the Perak Branch would have to play in the future in view of the ongoing activities of PITC, the first timber company in Peninsular Malaysia to carry out “sustainable logging” which I have earlier reported in my l;ast message. The ED.briefed the meeting on the present status and it was agreed that MNS official involvement remains advisory and that MNS will continue to advise and be an observer.  It was felt that the Perak branch’s good initiative could continue with baseline data gathering if there were no obligations to PITC or sharing of data with PITC at this stage. Information gathered would be shared with HQ upon request. I took the opportunity to seek funding for an expedition into this area and the Science & Conservation Committee was requested to advice on this request. It was also clarified that the FRIM project is an independent exercise and will not affect PITC’s bid for timber certification. I also requested HQ to ascertain the Perak State’s plans for the totality of Belum and Temenggor (a masterplan for the proposed Belum State Park, etc). Prof. Latiff will attempt to meet with the Mentri Besar and will advise soon on this.
      As the national AGM is not too far away Council deliberated on this and was of the opinion that the AGM should be held on 8-9 September 2001 with tours starting on 6th September and ending 12th September to coincide with the school holidays. Council requested that the following be looked into:
a) availability of chartered flight to and from Kuching
b) tour packages take flight availability into account
c) a general survey to be held to get an estimate of interested members on the internet if possible
d) all branches give feedback via e-mail by next Council and
e) Kuching branch to brief Council at next meeting
On a sad note it was reported that down south certain areas in the Endau-Rompin NERC has been damaged and has led to murky waters of the Sg. Endau and Jasin. Dato’ Salleh has written to Johor Park Director to highlight this issue. This shows what damage can be caused by overzealous officials who do not ask for opinions when they make simple decisions in a fragile ecosystem. Hopefully the damage can be contained.

Cheaw Hon Ming
01 May 2001


Index

    Reports
     
  1. Announcements
  2. Nature Awareness Day (Saturday 17 March 2001)
  3. Trekking up Gunung Cabang (1900 m) Sunday 25-Monday 26 March 2001
  4. Exploring Bujang Melaka Tin Mines (Sunday 8 April 2001) - cancelled
  5. Members’ Night – Talk on Wildlife (Saturday 14 April 2001)
  6. Picnic at the Post Slim Hot Springs (Thursday 19 April 2001)
  7. Trip to Kota Bahru/Batu Gajah 19th April (Thursday - Sultan's Birthday)
    Nature Notes and News
     
  1. Bird almost extinct in Malaysia seen in Kedah
  2. MNS POSITION PAPER ON SOLID WASTES AND INCINERATORS.


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Created on 15 May 2001